Anti-theet device for coin boxes



Apw'i M, 119 5? L. E. LATTIN ETAL 3,313,478

ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR COIN BOXES Filed Jan. 19, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS LEROY E. LATTI N BEDRICK V. BLIZNAK BY Ma da/ m ATTORNEYS Apffii M, 51967 1.. E. LATTIN ETAL 3,313,478

ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR COIN BOXES Filed Jan. 19, 1966 2 SheetsSheet 2 ;IO 20 FIG. 3

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INVENTORS LEROY E. LATTI N BY BEDRICK V- BLIZNAK M%z5%w ATTO/Q/VEYS United States Patent O 3,313,478 ANTI-THEFT DEVTCE FGR COIN BOXES Leroy E. Lattin and Eedriclr V. Bliznalr, Venice, Calif, assignors to The Universal Products Corporation, a corporation of California Filed Jan. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 521,582 6 Claims. (Cl. 232-57) This application is a continuation-in-part of our cpending application, Ser. No. 416,470, filed Dec. 7, 1964, now abandoned, and entitled, Anti-Theft Device for Coin Boxes.

This invention relates generally to anti-theft devices for use in coin boxes and more particularly to an improved anti-theft structure which may be removably secured to conventional telephone-type coin boxes to foil attempts to remove coins from the boxes by retrieving tools.

In United States Patent No. 3,128,037, there is described in considerable detail a coin box anti-theft device particularly suitable for use with coin operated telephones which functions well to prevent unauthorized removal of coins from the box. However, to accommodate a large number of coins, the coin scoop receiving and balfiing structure extends a considerable distance into the coin box itself and thus diminishes the number of coins for which the box was originally designed to receive. If a shallower coin scoop structure is provided, it may not be able to accommodate a large number of coins dropped at one time as results in long distance calls, and thus jamming of the coin passageway may occur.

Additionally, it would be desirable to provide an antitheft coin scoop structure which may be easily inserted or removed from the coin box to facilitate maintenance.

With the foregoing in mind, it is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide an improved antitheft device for a coin box which is so designed as to occupy a minimum of the volume of the box to the end that the maximum use of the box for collecting and storing coins may be realized and yet which will function to avoid clogging of the coin passageway when a large number of coins are received at one time.

Another object is to provide an improved anti-theft device which is more easily inserted and removed in telephone coin boxes than has been possible with prior art devices to the end that any damaged devices may be very quickly replaced.

(Ether objects of this invention are to provide an improved anti-theft device for coin boxes which insures even distribution of the coins in the box, is rugged in construction, and which may be installed without having to modify the conventional coin box.

Briefly, these and other objects and advantages of this invention are attained by providing a coin scoop structure including a rear plate and top surface member hinged to the rear plate. The rear plate itself is arranged to be received in a removable manner within an insert in turn positioned in a telephone coin box. When installed, the top surface member is disposed immediately beneath the cover opening of the box. The hinging is such that the top surface member may swing downwardly partially within the box. By this arrangement, the weight of a number of coins received simultaneously on the top surface member will cause the member to swing downwardly within the box so that the coin passageway to the box will not be clogged and the coins may slide off the surface and over the edges of the member into the box. The member then swings upwardly so as to leave the full volume of the box free to receive all of the coins for which it was designed. In addition, any retrieving tool pushed against the top surface member and thence past the member is so 3,3l3,478 Patented Apr. 11, 1967 guided by the member as to engage the sidewall of the box in a position in which it is not possible to pick up coins by the retrieving mechanism.

The surface member itself includes a unique geometrical configuration with suitable openings to insure even distribution of the coins in the box and additionally serve to snag coins should the retrieving tool pass through one of the openings.

A further feature of the invention relates to the insert arranged to cooperate with the plate portion of the coin receiving scoop structure, the insert itself being permanently positioned within a coin box and including fastening means for cooperation with suitable means on the rear plate to enable very easy removal and insertion of the coin scoop structure.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded fragmentary perspective View of a portion of a coin box and the various elements making up the anti-theft device of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the coin scoop structure portion of the anti-theft device;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-section of the device taken in the direction of the arrows 44 of FIGURE 3; and,

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the device.

Referring first to the lower portion of FIGURE 1 there is shown a telephone box It} having a rear wall and a suitable cover 11. Normally, the cover 11 is provided with a slide door 12 which is automatically opened when the coin box is slid into the telephone structure. Thus, the upper opening of the coin box proper is defined by the area covered by the slide door 12. The cover 11 itself is hinged as by tabs 13 and 14 received within suitable slots 15 and 16 in the rear wall 10' of the coin box. This structure is entirely conventional for coin boxes and further description is deemed unnecessary.

In accordance with the present invention, there is initially provided an insert plate 17 having forwardly extending side flanges 18 and 19 which may be serrated as shown to permit some inward flexing thereof. These flanges are arranged to be received between rear side wall portions 213 and 21 of the coin box, the distance between these rear side walls being slightly less than the distance between the flanges 18 and 19 so that a force fit of the insert 17 is necessary to secure the same to the rear wall 10 of the coin box. As shown, the insert 17 includes a spring type catch 22 at its central lower portion and a small bowed-out strip opening 23 at its upper central portion.

The insert plate 17 is arranged to removably support a coin scoop structure including a rear plate 24 shown in the exploded View above the insert in FIGURE 1.

Rear plate 24 is hinged to an integral top surface member 25 as by a hinge pin 26. A biasing means in the form of a coiled spring 27 surrounding the hinge serves to bias the member 25 upwardly to a position disposed immediately under the cover opening provided when the slide door 12 on the cover 11 is slid rearwardly.

The top surface of the member 25 is smoothly shaped in a desired configuration which preferably includes a first downwardly extending surface portion 28 and a second generally flat main surface 29. A forward rectangular opening 30 is provided in the surface 29 by a cutout second surface 31 bent downwardly along the front edge 32 of the rectangular opening. This second surface defines a rearwardly directed scoop surface 33. In addition to the cutout opening 39, there are also provided off-center circular openings 34 and 35. These openings themselves are each of a dimension less than the diameter of any coin received on the member 25.

The foregoing surface configuration for the coin scoop structure member 25 is important in that the openings 34 and 35 are positioned to receive any retrieving tool inserted through the top opening of the cover 11 in an attempt to retrieve coins. This is because of the geometry of the coin receiving chute which will guide a tool in the direction of the openings, the tool hitting the plate 25 on an angle directed towards the openings. On the other hand, the rectangularly shaped opening 3% will permit some coins to drop through the openings to strike the second surface 31 and be directed towards the center and rear of the box. Other coins slide over the front and side edges of the member 25. The arrangement is such that a fairly even distribution of the coins received in the bottom of the coin box will occur to pervent abnormal piling up of coins in certain areas within the box.

Referring again to the rear plate 24, there is provided at its lower central portion an opening 36 arranged to receive the spring-type catch 22 on the insert plate 17. A small cutout 37 is provided to enable an operator to insert a screw driver therein and pry the opening 36 free of the catch 22 when it is desired to remove the coin receiving scoop structure.

The fastening means also includes a bent-out tab portion 38 as shown in FIGURE 2 adapted to be received within the strip opening 23 on the upper central portion of the insert 17.

It will be evident that to insert the coin receiving scoop structure after the insert 17 is in place, it is only necessary to first wedge the tab 38 within the strip opening 23 of the insert member and then swing the lower portion of the rear plate 24 against the surface of the insert until the spring catch 22 is received within the opening 36. The rear plate 24 is then adequately supported and the hinged member 25 is in a desired position beneath the opening provided when the cover door 12 is slid rearwardly so that coins dropped into the telephone machine will strike the top surface of the member 25.

The assembly structure is illustrated more clearly in the plan view of FIGURE 3 wherein the geometry of the rectangular opening 30 and the circular openings 34 and 35 will be evident.

FIGURES 4 and illustrate in dotted lines at the position of the top surface member 25 when swung downwardly about its hinge means to extend partially within the coin box. Normally, the coiled spring structure 27 will maintain the member 25 in its upper position so that it will occupy a minimum of space within the coin box. In this respect, one end of the spring is secured to the hinge and the other end 27 bears against a downwardly extending portion of the plate structure encircling the hinge pin 26 as shown at 39. This plate structure 39 also serves as a stop to limit downward swinging of the member 25, the lower edge of the structure 39 abutting the wall of the back plate 24 as shown in dotted lines. The weight of a large number of coins received simultaneously on the member 25, however, will be sufiicient if they should pile up thereon to swing the member downwardly to the dotted line position 25' in which position the coins will simply slide through the rectangular opening and over the front and side edges of the member.

In operation and with reference to FIGURES 3, 4, and 5, if the retrieving tool is guided onto the surface portion 29, it will either pass through the rectangular opening 30 or be guided through one of the openings 34 or 35. In either event, attempts to withdraw coins captured by the retrieving tool will be foiled since the reverse second scoop surface 33 and the dimensions of the openings 34 and 35 are such as will ordinarily snag coins attempted to be retrieved therepast. If the tool should be worked over the front edge of the member 25, the dimensioning of the member relative to the inside walls of the box is such that the short rigid tubular structure at the end of the tool cannot be worked the edge of the member in a position to enable the retrieving mechanism to pick up a coin. Rather, the end of the tool with simply abut against the sidewall of the box.

While the foregoing configuration is designed to foil attempts to remove coins by a retrieving tool, it is also shaped to effect a relatively even distribution of coins in the box. It is also for this reason that there is provided the rectangular opening and reverse scoop surface 33. Thus, coins falling through the opening 30 will be distributed towards the central rear portion of the box, whereas coins falling over the side and front edges of the member when the member swings downwardly will fill other portions of the box so that a relatively even piling up of the coins will occur.

As a consequence of the hinge structure, wherein the spring means normally biases the member to its uppermost position, it will be clear that a maximum space is provided within the coin box so that more coins may be collected that would be possible with various anti-theft structures heretofore proposed.

Further, as a consequence of the use of the insert plate as described in conjunction with FIGURES 1 and 2, the coin scoop receiving structure may very easily be removed and replaced without having to remove the insert plate itself.

While only one particular embodiment of this invention has been set forth and described, various changes that fall clearly within the scope and spirit of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. The improved anti-theft device for coin boxes is therefore not to be throught of as limited to the one embodiment set forth merely for illustrative purposes.

What is claimed is:

1. An anti-theft device for a coin box comprising: a coin scoop structure including a plate adapted to be secured in said box and a top member hinged to said plate in a position to receive coins dropped into said box and to swing down partially into said box, said member having a coin receiving top surface; means biasing said member in an upward direction, the weight of a given number of coins received on said surface causing said member to swing downwardly so that said coins slide from said surface into said box, said top surface including at least one opening through which coins may pass in addition to coins passing about the edges of said member.

2. An anti-theft device for a coin box comprising: a coin scoop structure having an integral top surface member including a first scoop surface portion extending forwardly and downwardly and merging into a generally flat main surface having a cutout opening defined by a second scoop surface extending downwardly and rearwardly from the front edge of said opening, said first scoop surface and flat main surface of said member being adapted to receive coins and to be positioned to pass said coins into said box through said opening by way of said second scoop surface and over its front and its side edges whereby coins falling into said box are substantially evenly distributed.

3. A device according to claim 2, in which said main surface includes at least one additional opening disposed closer to one side of said member than the other and having a diameter less than the diameter of any coin to be received.

4. An anti-theft device for insertion in a telephone coin box having a rear wall and forwardly extending side walls spaced apart a given distance comprising: an insert including a rear member having side edge portions extending forwardly to define side flanges spaced apart a distance slightly greater than said given distance so that the same may be received therebetween in a force fit; a coin scoop structure including a rear plate and a member having a top coin receiving scoop surface; and cooperating means on said insert and rear plate for removably coupling the same together whereby said coin scoop structure may be removed and replaced by unfastening and fastening said cooperating means.

5. A device according to claim 4, in which said memher is hinged to the upper edge of said back plate so that it may swing down into said box; and biasing means urging said member upwardly whereby the weight of coins falling on said member swings said member downwardly slightly so that said coins slide into said box and whereby any retrieving tool urged past said member engages the sidewalls of said box in a position in which coins cannot be retrieved by said tool.

6. A device according to claim 5, in which said member includes an opening formed by a scoop surface extending downwardly and rearwardly of the front edge of said opening whereby some coins received on said top surface will fall through said opening to said scoop surface to be more evenly distributed within the interior of said coin box.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 285,742 9/1883 Fowler 23263 532,505 1/1895 Wall 23258 721,887 3/1903 Gross 23258 913,629 2/1909 V0111 Eigen 23258 915,308 3/1909 Rebischung 232-57 917,671 4/1909 Shephard 23258 1,035,393 8/1912 Smith 232-63 1,096,500 5/1914- Fors berg 232----57.5 2,006,433 7/1935 Bierstedt 23257.5 3,128,037 4/1964 McClellan 23263 3,241,751 3/1966 Baran 232--57.5

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Examiner. 

1. AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR A COIN BOX COMPRISING: A COIN SCOOP STRUCTURE INCLUDING A PLATE ADAPTED TO BE SECURED IN SAID BOX AND A TOP MEMBER HINGED TO SAID PLATE IN A POSITION TO RECEIVE COINS DROPPED INTO SAID BOX AND TO SWING DOWN PARTIALLY INTO SAID BOX, SAID MEMBER HAVING A COIN RECEIVING TOP SURFACE; MEANS BIASING SAID MEMBER IN AN UPWARD DIRECTION, THE WEIGHT OF A GIVEN NUMBER OF COINS RECEIVED ON SAID SURFACE CAUSING SAID MEMBER TO SWING DOWNWARDLY SO THAT SAID COINS SLIDE FROM SAID SURFACE INTO SAID BOX, SAID TOP SURFACE INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE OPENING THROUGH WHICH COINS MAY PASS IN ADDITION TO COINS PASSING ABOUT THE EDGES OF SAID MEMBER. 